Teng Chang Yeow should “fight policy to policy”, rather than divert from his own promises

Joint press conference statement by Chow Kon Yeow, Liew Chin Tong and Zairil Khir Johari on 6th June 2012 in Komtar, George Town, Penang:

Teng Chang Yeow must not evade questions about his own policy proposals, otherwise how can the public trust that his words mean anything and that he is able to carry out what he promises?

Just into the second month as Barisan Nasional Penang chief, Teng Chang Yeow has apparently given up on his greatest idea – restoring the free port status for Penang.

On 8th May 2012, Teng Chang Yeow announced on his facebook page that, “I had disclosed to most Chinese media that I will make known my plan for Penang between 10-14 days. Stay tune (sic) with my Facebook’s posting tomorrow.”

On 27th May 2012, Teng wrote on his facebook page that, “We will fight policy to policy, ideals to ideals (sic) with the PR Government instead of insulting and harping on the (Pakatan Rakyat) pact’s failures.”

Teng Chang Yeow has so far announced the following: a) to turn Penang Island into a free port; b) to create an International Financial District; c) to create an Innovation Dynamo Park; d) to create an aquaculture hub; and e) to replace the manufacturing industry with the services sector.

Two days ago, he diverted from his own agenda and started a new series of topics, namely, press freedom, transportation and housing.

The DAP is ready to “fight policy to policy”, to use Chang Yeow’s own words, on each of the items he raised, whether in the first batch or second batch. But Teng Chang Yeow must not evade fundamental questions about his policy proposals.

There are five questions for Chang Yeow:

1. Is his free port proposal permanently submerged after Hilmi Yahya, Teng Hock Nan and Tan Cheng Liang – the Team B of Penang Barisan Nasional – announced their proposal for a CIQ (customs, immigration and quarantine) complex in the port’s area?
2. Are there two Penang BNs under 1Malaysia, and three proposals for the Penang Port – Teng’s free port, Hilmi-Teng Hock Nan’s CIQ and Syed Mokhtar-Chua Soi Lek’s privatization plan?
3. Chang Yeow has not replied if he is aware that the Cabinet has endorsed the award of Penang Port privatization to Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar, and whether such a move would permanently stifle Penang’s economy?
4. Chang Yeow is predicating his policy proposals on the basis that manufacturing has peaked in Penang. Is this how he view Penang’s future and does he endorse the view that there are “too many factories in Penang”?
5. Chang Yeow has not responded to either our request for the Federal Government to honour its promises for Penang’s public transportation or our proposal to decentralise transport governance. (See appendix)

There is no point for Teng Chang Yeow to make new announcements if he cannot even defend his own first batch of ideas after being sabotaged by the Team B of Hilmi, Teng Hock Nan and Tan Cheng Liang.

If he cannot even defend his own ideas against his internal opponents, how will Chang Yeow protect Penang’s interests from those trying to take advantage of her?

Chow Kon Yeow is MP for Tanjong and State Exco for Local Government and Traffic

Liew Chin Tong is MP for Bukit Bendera

Zairil Khir Johari is Political Secretary to the DAP Secretary-General

Appendix:

As far as the governance of transportation, short-term rearrangements and long-term reorganisations of governing structure is required. Penang State Government commissions a Transport Master Plan study and to look into the overarching transport planning for Penang. The consultant proposed both long term and short term strategies. Some proposals require the cooperation and commitment from the Federal Government as follows:

Malaysia needs a complete overhaul of its governing structure. This is our modest attempt to define a different future for transportation in Penang.